GENERAL WAYNE PARK PROJECT
Plan for the garden by the Maplewood sign designed by Beverly Fitts, a local resident seen here.
Projects:
-Establishing a native plant garden by the Maplewood sign.
-Planting a pollinators’ garden along the split rail fence
-Removing some of the invasive plants in the natural area and along the upper
walkway.
-Protecting the newly planted trees in the natural area by mulching, etc.
-Developing a woodland garden at the bottom of the hill by the rail fence
-Adding items that will attract wildlife, such as nesting boxes, birdbaths,
birdfeeders, etc.
- Adding composting bins
Wish List:
-A sign for posting notices not only for the project but for the local community
-Woodworkers who could make the nesting boxes, etc.
-Birders who would be willing to provide expertise
-Gardeners to offer planting expertise and plant identification
-Laborers willing to pull weeds, cut vines, etc.
-History buffs for information about the Park and neighborhood
-Fund raisers
And now for our first bit of gardening information:
“Dig- free” bed preparation: This is how we prepared the bed under
the park sign on Maplewood. We will be planting it in the Spring.
-Lay out the bed. You can use a hose to outline the bed.
-3-5 layers of overlapping newspaper
-1 inch of builders sand (not beach or play sand)
- 4-6 inches of compost, such as you can get free from the Township
-12 inches of mulched leaves (whole leaves will not decompose as readily)
An invasive (alien) plant is one that originated in a different part of the
world. It is likely to cause harm by crowding out more desirable native species.
Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria): This small plant with shiny leaves and
yellow flowers emerges before the native wildflowers. Although the plant dies
back in early June, the underground bulblets persist, spread rapidly, and crowd
out more desirable plants.
Japanese bush honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.): There are several varieties of honeysuckle in the Park and natural area. Although these non native honeysuckle have attractive blossoms and berries, they are spread readily by the birds and crowd out the more desirable native species.
Multiflora rose Rosa multiflora): This thorny shrub is spread readily by birds. There are several patches where this plant has established itself in the natural area.
Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius): This unattractive prickly shrub with red stems is spread by seed. It is all over the natural area.
Norway maple (Acer platinoides) and Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatinus): Common trees in our backyards. Seeds are spread readily by the wind into woodlands where they crowd out the native seedlings.
Winged Euonymus (Euonymous alatus): This attractive shrub escapes from cultivation and becomes invasive in woodlands.
English Ivy (Hedera helix): This commonly planted ground cover crowds out native plant communities and also damages trees.
The garden by the Maplewood sign in General Wayne Park has been planned and planted by neighbor, Beverly Fitts, with funds provided by the Merion Park Civic Association. The plant content, all natives, will provide color and interest throughout much of the year.
A small group of volunteers has been working on removing invasive plant material from the natural area. Our plan is to remove many of the invasive shrubs so that more desirable plants will have room to grow. The shrubs and seedlings marked with blue tags are the plants that we want to encourage. Winged euonymus (burning bush), a common shrub in garden landscaping, seeds readily in wooded areas and crowds out the native plants. Also of concern in our natural area are bush honeysuckle, wine berry, honeysuckle vine, garlic mustard, multiflora rose, Norway maple, and Japanese knotweed.
We would like to plant some of the open areas that have been created with some native shrubs and trees. Please consider contributing to this project with a donation to buy some plant material and/or to provide some labor.
Please contact Helen Peachey at 610-664-0478 or peacheyh@verizon.net if you would like more information about how you can help.
PS: Please note that there is poison ivy all along the paths and on the trees in the natural area and also on the bank near the upper walkway. We encourage you to protect yourselves by wearing long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes and socks when in those areas. “Leaves of three, let them be.” “Hairy vine, no friend of mine”.